- Title: Libyan factions agree to Dec. 10 elections at Paris talks
- Date: 29th May 2018
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 29, 2018) (AGENCY POOL) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, LIBYAN PRIME MINISTER FAYEZ AL-SERAJ, PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AGUILA SALEH, COMMANDER OF LIBYA'S EASTERN-BASED MILITARY COMMANDER KHALIFA HAFTAR, ARRIVING, PRESIDENT OF THE HIGH COUNCIL OF STATE, KHALED AL-MISHRI, UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR LIBYA GHASSAN SALAME AND OFFICIALS STANDING DURING THE READING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION MACRON, SERAJ AND SALAME ARRIVING AND WALKING TOWARDS LECTERNS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "It is the first time that, under this format, all these leaders -some of whom don't recognise each other- have met together, have accepted to work together and, you have seen, have approved a joint declaration. This is an essential, important step, which makes possible what will come." MACRON, SERAJ AND SALAME BEHIND PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "So from now until September 16th, there's a joint commitment to take the necessary measures that will enable (the parties) to organise an electoral process in a satisfactory manner, either with a new constitution, or on the basis of an electoral law which would have been duly voted. And the three presidents and Commander Haftar have committed themselves to that, which is essential because they are the key people who will make this process possible." JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "The second element is the organisation of presidential and parliamentary elections on December 10th 2018. So the commitment, on the basis of this process, (is) to fully and safely give back to the Libyan people their sovereignty and allow them to express it on this date." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "The Libyan people aspire to security, stability, to live better, to be able to express its sovereignty. That's what we owe them, because sometimes we have decided to stand in for its own sovereignty." MACRON, SERAJ AND SALAME SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 12th June 2018 15:37
- Keywords: Libya France Macron Fayez el Sarraj Algeria elections Khalifa Haftar
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018HXAGQV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Rival Libyan factions agreed on Tuesday (May 29) on a declaration that would create a political framework to pave the way for U.N.-backed elections in December to end the country's seven-year-old conflict.
The oil-producing nation splintered following the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, and since 2014 has been divided between competing political and military groups based in Tripoli and the east.
The United Nations is leading an effort to reunify Libya and to organise national elections. France under President Emmanuel Macron has sought to play a bigger role in coaxing the factions to end the turmoil, which has let Islamist militants gain a foothold and migrant smugglers flourish.
The Paris meeting, included eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, Tripoli Prime Minister Fayez Seraj, and the leaders of rival parliamentary assemblies, aimed to urge them to agree general principles for ending the conflict and moving towards elections.
The four stakeholders said they had agreed on a document to work constructively with the U.N. to realise credible and peaceful elections by Dec. 10 and abide by the results.
The declaration was not signed as originally planned because the parties do not all recognise each other's legitimacy and want to consult their home base, but they agreed in principle. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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